As a child, Asha loved to write rhymes and poems; something she now recognises as the start of her interest in song writing.

She was fourteen when she first visited the Centre, lacking confidence and self-esteem but things quickly changed when she joined our singing club; with mentoring, new friends and an opportunity to develop her vocal skills.

But having had a tougher life than most, Asha found it very difficult to gain employment in the creative field.

"Everything the centre has ever done for me has got me somewhere."

Asha

Without the relevant experience Asha’s next steps seemed uncertain, until she returned to the Centre to take part in our Tooling Up project during Festival of Voice 2016.

Asha heard about our Radio Platfform project; our youth-led radio station and training programme and wanted to get involved.

As well as helping to develop life skills, Radio Platfform offers young people a safe place to learn and grow, and an outlet to express their own opinions.

Importantly for Asha, it also provided a platform through which she could share her creativity and immense singing talent with an audience.

Fast forward two years to November 2018 and Asha has been appointed Head of Music for Radio Platfform, an internship funded by you, our supporters.

Asha dreamed of working for the Centre as a teenager and can't quite believe it's become reality.

The Radio Platfform studio is her favourite place; somewhere she feels safe and can reach her full creative potential amongst like-minded people who support each other.

Asha remembers her friends struggling with a lack of employment opportunities, particularly those in the Arts, due to a lack of experience.

"The studio is a positive place; a place where imagination is encouraged and friendships like family can form."

ASHA

Technology also plays a crucial role and many young people struggle to afford the equipment needed to work in creative industries.

Asha has learned how to use industry standard equipment and software but, more importantly, has gained a confidence and pride that was difficult to come by when she was growing up.

With your help more young people can come through our project and who knows, they might just be the next Amy Wadge, Jason Mohammad, Jools Holland or Asha Jane.

You can still donate to our #30DAYS30PEOPLE campaign﻿ or find out more about our outreach work.